What is culture? Culture can be defined as several like traits or ideas passed on from generations, these ideas vary due to location. Culture is how humans define themselves. It is the entity that makes humans deferent from other humans. Is there in validity to the claim that one day we will all share the exact same “Culture”. I highly doubt it. It is human nature to want to differ from others. Difference is what makes the world and interesting place. To think that billions of people will one day speak the same language or eat all the same food or have all the same religious ideas is not only unlikely but boring.
Prompt 18
The lecture over China V. United States can be compared to a Micheal Moore film. There were many interesting points brought to the table, however I found myself wondering what the basis for some of the statistics were. The section in the lecture over guns and violent crimes is a fine example. It was reported that the US had much higher rates of rape then in China. These of course are the reported cases. In America rape is a very serious offense and several programs and help groups are available for the public to utilize. I believe rape education may be much better in this country, and that many rape cases in China are unreported.
Topic 16
The restaurant was a great experience. Being a lover of food a.k.a. a fat kid I liked the idea that everyone shared what they ordered. Thanks to the visit to the restaurant I also know what a lazy Susan is and want one for my table. Although the cultural experience was good for me I can not stress enough how much I can not use chopsticks. I became frustrated and tried to bribe the waitress for a fork, which did not work. I was told later that my attempts to eat did serve as wonderful source of entertainment for the tables around us.
Topic 15
It seems that Chinatown was its own city within Hawaii. Most of the people were those of Asian decent. They spoke Chinese and the signs for businesses were also in Chinese. I felt that it was a very unique place however I had some reservations about it. I thought it neat that these people were trying to retain their original heritage; however I felt it a bit Un-American. Within these two city blocks I felt like a complete outsider, and I do not think that should be something felt by a person in his own country.
Topic 14
Prompt 14
The movie portrays hard work as the corner stone to a good life. Saving face and being honorable are also prevalent themes in this movie.
The Chinese idea of life is a cycle of good and bad that never ends. If events of life do not go your way you must continue on and hope that better times will come.
The family adapts to the changes and lives on, when things must change they change and they do the best that they can.
Topic 12
Prompt 12
The predominant aspect at particularly the Buddhist temple, was the importance of the elements. The location and construction was strategic in placement, especially with water and water life. Coy fish were dominant as well as rock gardens and surrounding scenery. The placement of the temple in a valley allowed the sound of the prayer bell to echo lending the idea that it could be herd all around.
The importance of nature is lacking in Christian worship. Because it is believed that God made the Earth it would be right to think that Christians would celebrate it more in their worship.
Topic 11
It can be called a Race War because it was a war of Japanese Imperialism. The war in the Pacific was driven by the notion that Japan must be the supreme power in the Pacific. Dower not only pins the race issue on the Japanese he also sites the use of internment camps in the US and the use of racist propaganda on both sides.
Americans as well as Japanese were present at the memorial, as well as many other people. I also saw children, students, adults, and seniors. The memorial touches everyone. Every person on this planet can relate to loss and I think that the memorial touches everyone there on a personal level.
Topic 10
The Japanese according to this movie, feel that the attack though and act of war was destructive and brought against civilians rather than a military population. I do not personally agree.
No the three differ dramatically.
They would feel that though people died and that is sad, it is an act of war and a military victory.
Topic 9
In the family game the director is obviously unimpressed with the image of the modern Japanese family. He portrays the father as a man that works, comes home, gets drunk, and sleeps. The mother is left to handle everything else. The children are expected to want the best no matter what the circumstances. The end of the movie features a scene at the dinner table that ends is complete pandemonium. The close of the movie ends with the death of everyone in the house. This film was very strange and hard to follow, however after a lecture following the movie I understood it a bit better.
I did not have a very good understanding of that particular part of the film. I do not believe that I can answer this specific question adequately.
I believe that the new neighbor’s character in the film was necessary to show how unsocial some members of the Japanese culture can be. Because the mother said one word to the neighbor, this woman latched on to her for friendship. This woman could also represent outside culture, she did things untraditionally and was pushed away hurriedly because of it.
The ending of the movie suggests that if the Japanese family continues to operate as it does in the movie that the family will eventually fall apart or die.
Topic 8
Prompt 8
June 14 1900
Pineapple plantations provided job opportunities so many people began to move there as a result.
Primary labor at the plantations came from China. These workers were treated about as well as children working in Kathy Lee Gifford’s South American sweat shops. Low wages, poor wok conditions, and strict punishments
Sanford Dole’s father was a Protestant missionary in Hawaii.
Dole believed it absolutely necessary to westernize Hawaii, he used his ties with the king of Hawaii to begin to implement his ideas.
The Bayonet Constitution was a rich white supremacist’s dream piece of legislature. It basically took all boating rights away from anyone who was not rich and white. It also took away all power from the royal cabinet and gave it to the white elite.
Lorrin Thurston drafted the Bayonet Constitution, and was the Interior Minster of Hawaii.
The Committee of Safety was a thirteen member committee that planed to overthrow the kingdom of Hawaii.
Sanford Dole became president of the Republic of Hawaii in 1894.
Hawaii was annexed by William McKinley in February1900
Sanford Dole’s New Position became Governor of the state.
James dole is Sanford Dole’s cousin.
James Dole Bought the Island and converted it into a pineapple plantation.
Missions brought on businessmen and businessmen pushed for the Americanization to Hawaii. Without missions there would be no state of Hawaii.
Topic 7
James Cook was the English explorer credited with the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands. Before he discovered the Sandwich Islands as they were first called he was sent on other voyages for the crown. His first voyage 1768-1771 was launched for the purpose of observing the planet Venus from the Southern Hemisphere. His second voyage was sent out to discover the “southern continent” due to our modern advantages like satellite photography it is clear that this place does not exist. Cook needless to say was unable to locate this continent; however he did discover the islands. On his third voyage he was given the task of establishing a naval jump point for the British Empire in the Pacific.
Hawaii and James Cook are closely because he is the first westerner to reach the island. He also originally had good contact with its native peoples. Because he was the first westerner to set foot on the islands, the colonization of them is due to his discovery.
Gary was a local charged with the duty of maintaining the monument to Cook. When the party happened upon Gary they thought he had been defacing it with spray paint.
He was actually cleaning off the defacement.
Gary’s feelings on Cook were ambiguous. He felt that the discovery and westernization of the islands was inevitable, however he felt (and rightly so) that the death of the captain was largely is own doing. He discussed in detail how the insensitivity to the culture led to Cook’s death. The feelings on Cooks death were also shared by the New England Churchman and Dibble.
I believe that Horiwitz’s purpose is to demonstrate that one not all islanders hate James Cook. Also that though these people are from two opposite spectrums they can agree on some aspects of circumstances.
Horowitz gives a good description of the events leading up to Cooks death, the irony of this of course is that Cook’s insensitivity to culture led to his death. The very man that stressed the importance to his crew of not polluting the culture, died for that very reason. Because he did not respect the power of a high chief the natives killed him. The strange circumstances refer to the fact that Cook always kept meticulous records; however there are no records for about the last week of his life.
Topic 6
Portrayal is probably the best word to describe the activities experienced at the Polynesian Culture Center. The ceremonies and demonstrations at the center are not nearly as serious as they were intended to be, however the purpose of the center is to educate. Without our visit to the center I feel that I would not understand Polynesian cultures as well as I do now. Before we judge the activities put on by the PCC we must first realize that along with education these performers must also be able to entertain. A majority of the visitors to Hawaii are not there to learn but to relax and without the entertainment portion of this educational center it is doubtful that it would be as big of a success. Many of the demonstrations give a catch all explanation to what is being seen, for those with a serious love for history, they may find this center lacking. The center is sponsored by Brigham Young University and we see different cultures filtered through the lens of the university, and ultimately the LDS Church. Though there are obvious flaws in the center, it is a very good place. They provide a general knowledge of Hawaiian and other cultures, as well as provide work for several students trying to receive college diplomas.
Topic 5
In ancient Hawaiian beliefs the natives believed in a polytheistic religion. Kane the primary god creator of nature and man. Lono the god of rain and agriculture. Also the goddess of the volcano Pele. Heiaus were religious sites developed for the worship of specific gods. There were agricultural, as well as war Heiaus where peoples would gather to worship. As westerners came into Hawaii they began to push for Christianization. They viewed the Kapu (The laws derived from the religion) as primitive and oppressive to the masses. Though the ancient religion of Hawii and Christianity are very different some similarities can be found. The Idea of Mana or life force is very similar to the Christian idea of the soul. The goddess of the volcano Pele can be compared to Satan
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